Wednesday Reads (and reads and reads and reads)

Before you kill me, I’ll warn you up front: this is a long post. Apparently I was a reading machine! 4 books. Didn’t hurt that I had a lot of time to kill. A lot.

Hubby got his second batch of chemo last Wednesday. While that alone takes 7-8 hours, he also gets hydrated on the two days following, and that takes 2 hours each. See? Lots of time. Unfortunately, the chemo this time really kicked in. Started out with the usual “everything tastes bad” routine, but then the nausea kicked in on Saturday and he couldn’t keep anything down. Not even his nausea pills.

So on Monday he was able to get more hydration with an added “shot” of nausea medication (which thankfully worked). He was able to eat some soup after (although stuff still tastes bad and he hasn’t eaten much since).

I hate times like that. I just feel so useless. And I hate seeing him suffer. I’ll be glad when it’s all over with!

Here’s what I read the past week:

Book #1

Dates read: April 3-5
Title: “Thrown by a Curve”
Year of publication: 2013
Author: Jaci Burton
Genre: Erotic romance
Series: Book 5 in the Play-by-Play series
# of Pages: 327
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Free at Romantic Times (RT) Booklovers Convention
Blurb from Book: For Alicia Riley, her job as a sports therapist for the St. Louis Rivers baseball team is a home run—until she becomes the primary therapist for star pitcher Garrett Scott. Out of the lineup with an injury, he’s short-tempered, hard to handle, and every solid inch a man.
   Right now, the only demand he’s making on Alicia is that she get him ready to pitch in time for opening day. Except the sexual chemistry between them is so charged, Alicia’s tempted to oblige Garrett just about anything. But their careers are at stake—one bad move and it’s game over for both of them.
   Garrett also feels the hot sparks between them, and the way he figures it, what better therapy is there than sex? Now all he has to do is convince the woman with the power to make the call.
My thoughts: I had read Books #2 & #3 in this series and when I saw this one at RT, I had to pick it up. Why it’s taken me so long to read it, I don’t know. It’s not like you have to read these books in order and it’s just as hot and steamy as the other two. I like these sport stories, but then I like sports.

Book #2

Dates read: April 5-7
Title: “Immortal Unchained”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Lynsay Sands
Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Book 25 in the Argeneau Vampire series
# of Pages: 369
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Ever since Domitian Argenis recognized Sarita as his life mate, he’s been waiting for the perfect moment to claim her. Those fantasies did not include him being chained to a table in a secret lab or both of them being held hostage by a mad scientist. Somehow, they have to escape…
   Sarita has seen some crazy things as a cop, but nothing to rival Domitian. A vampire? Seriously? But his healing ability, incredible powers, and their mind-blowing physical connection—none of it should be possible, yet her body knows differently. Now, not only do they have to save each other, but other innocent lives are at stake. Failure is not an option, for Sarita intends that Domitian show her exactly what an eternity of pleasure feels like…
My thoughts: At first I was a little confused, because I don’t remember ever reading about Domitian before (not that I remember ALL the relatives, but they tend to get mentioned every now and then). Turns out I probably didn’t. Ha! I loved where the storyline went (à la Island of Dr. Moreau) and wonder if it will continue on with some of the characters introduced (like, maybe, Thorne??). This series is my most favorite. As soon as the next book comes out, I buy it and place it in my stack to be read NEXT; over all the other series books I’ve gotten. And it will continue to stay that way for the next installment. Can’t wait!!

Book #3

Dates read: April 7-8
Title: “Make Them Pay”
Year of publication: 2017
Author: Allison Brennan
Genre: Suspense
Series: Book 12 in the Lucy Kincaid series
# of Pages: 390
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Lucy Kincaid and Sean Rogan are finally tying the knot. Two weeks before their wedding, a surprise visitor shows up at their door: Eden, Sean’s estranged sister from Europe. She claims she’s in town for the wedding and wants to mend fences. Lucy invites Eden to stay with them—after all, family is family—but her boss, SSA Noah Armstrong knows far more about Eden’s sketchy past than he’s let on.
   While Lucy is focused on her investigation tracking down dozens of children sold through illegal adoptions, Noah begins a quiet investigation of Eden and her elusive twin, Liam. He’s certain that, since they’re both thieves, they’re here for a job or a heist. But they are up to something far more sinister than even Noah can imagine.
   Liam has a score to settle with his family, and Sean has something he wants. The twins will do anything to get it—including putting Lucy’s life in danger. It’ll take everyone—Kincaids and Rogans alike—to stop Liam before someone dies. Unfortunately, Liam’s treachery has unforeseen consequences for Sean and Lucy, as a longtime enemy of the Rogan family hellbent on revenge sees an opportunity to make them all pay…
My thoughts: Man, I certainly tore through this book in a hurry. So glad I finally had a free Saturday where I could do nothing but read. And I’m glad I was reading this book because I would have had trouble putting it down otherwise. I’m addicted to this series, no doubt about it. I love Lucy and Sean!

Book #4

Dates read: April 9-10
Title: “Trial Junkies”
Year of publication: 2012
Author: Robert Gregory Browne
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Series: Trial Junkies #1
# of Pages: 369
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Ethan “Hutch” Hutchinson hasn’t seen his old college pals for nearly a decade. Now fate has brought them together again as one of the gang is put on trial for a brutal, senseless murder.
   The Chicago police and prosecutor think they have their perp, but Hutch isn’t about to sit silently in a courtroom as someone he cares about is wrongfully convicted.
   When Hutch and his friends join forces to search for the real killer, what they find shatters every notion they have about friendship, loss, and redemption…and may very well cost Hutch—and the woman he loves—their lives.
My thoughts: Wow. Did not see that one coming. Also didn’t expect to read it that fast (and not just because I had the time). Shows you how captivated I was, huh? If you like whodunnits where you don’t know (or even have a hint of) whodunnit until the end, then you’ll enjoy this one.

So... Have you ever started reading a book just to see how it begins only to find yourself several chapters in before you realize it? That's what happened with that last book I read. Sucked me right in.

Happy Reading!

Stacy